The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-07-15
HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE.
ATTACKS OF sUNsTROKE AND
HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.
Cause Of the Disease Well Known and the
Prevention NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
Danger-Enects of Intemperance-venti-
lated Hats and Wet sponges TO be Worn.


over 1900 cases of sunstroke occurred in the
city of Cincinnati. Of these 2SS died. It is
probable that in fully-developed cases the
stances about one half of those attacked die.
In every large city in the United States
this terrible malady claims its victims when
ever the temperature on clear days rises to
55o and upward.
While doctors are still in doubt concerning
the essential nature of the morbid condition
known as sunstroke or heat-stroke, the,
causes Of the disease are very well known,
and its mode of prevention understood.
An attack of sunstroke is nearly always
preceded by certain symptoms which should
direct the individuals attention to the inn
pending danger. These symptoms are ahot.
dry skin-the perspiration being checked
dryness of the mouth and throat, flushed
face, suffusion of the eyes and throbbing Of
the head. In some cases there is slight de-
lirium, in others sense of weakness or con-
fusion IF thought, with alternate flushing
and cooling of the face, such as sometimes
comes on after smoking strong cigar. The
pulse is usually rapid, sometimes intermit-
tent, and if the temperature of the body be
measured wish a thermometer, it will be
found several degrees above "blood heat
If no attention is paid to these Fremont
tory symptoms and exposure to the exciting
cause continues, the 'stroke" comes. The
person suddenly fails to the ground, becomes
unconscious and comatose. or is attacked by
frequent commissions. The breathing is
deep, slow and snoring the pulse very rapid
and the skin dry and burning hot. In some
cases, however, especially of that variety
classed as ''heat-stroke, that is to say where
the individual was not directly exposed to
the rays of the sun, the pulse is weak and
the skin pale, cold and moist. In these
cases there is great danger of paralysis of the
heart, following extreme exhaustion of the
nervous system.
The causes of sunstroke are excessively
high temperature, exhausting physical
labor, excessive indulgence in alcoholic
liquors and deprivation of water. Soldiers
on march in hot weather are very subject
to sunstroke, especially when suffering for
want Of water. In the Federal army during
the late war there were 1900 cases of sun
stroke, but owing probably to prompt atten-
ton from the medical officers the mortality
was low.
Laborers working in confined spaces, such
a stevedores, are frequently Frustrated by
heat-stroke and large proportion of these
succumb to the attack.
Nothing is more firmly and conclusively
established in the whole range of medical
practice than that intemperance is the most
prominent and fatal predisposing cause Of
sunstroke. Adrunken man is not only much
more liable to be attacked, but he is almost
certain to die from the effects. All authori-
ties are agreed upon this point. The most
efficient preventive measure may therefore
be declared to be the avoidance of spirituous
liquors.
The means of prevention are already indi-
Gated by consideration of the causes. Ex-
posure to high temperature or excessive
exertlon should be avoided. This is, however,
easier said than done in most cases. Hence,
whatever measures will reduce the evil in
Auence of the above conditions must be
adopted. When exposed to the sun, light,
well-ventilated hat should be worn. A
broad-brimmed straw probably answers the
demands better than any other. The cork
helmet as worn in the East Indies is also
serviceable, but its unsightliness will prob
".
A sponge or handkerchief, wet with cold
water, placed in the hat, will keep the head
cool, and produce general reduction of tenn
perature in the body. This is measure
which should be adopted especially by SOL
diers on the march.
The clothing should be loose and light,
and frequent bathing of the face, head and
arms will counteract the pernicious effects
of the high temperature.
Plenty of water internally is one of the
best preventives of sunstroke. 1t has been
found that soldiers, upon whom the most
accurate observations have been made, sue
cumb to the effects of heat only after the
supply Of drinking water is exhausted. So
long as the canteens are full sunstroke does
not occur in any army.
In cases of sunstroke competent physi-
clan should be at once sent for. But in the
meanwhile the bystanders should not be
idle. If the individual is unconscious and
has hot, dry skin the clothing about the
upper portion of the body should be opened
ana cold water poured over him. If the
water is poured upon the head from height
of several feet the effect will be greater So
long as the heat of the skin seems
excessive the cold ehusion should be con-
tinued. Commissions do not contra-indi-
cate this treatment. When the tempera-
ture of the body has become reduced
in this way, and inconsistencies still
continues, hot mustard poultices should
be applied to the abdomen and limbs This
may be done at first in those cases in which
the skin is cold and moist and there seems |
to be tendency to collapse. If the patient
can swallow, strong. hot coffee or tea may |
be given in small quantities, taking care not |
to overburden the stomach and cause vomit- |
ing. Whiskey or brandy should be given
with great caution. In extreme cases of |
depression tablespoonful of whiskey, with |
a teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of am
monia, may be the one thing needed to
save life, but the Judgment required in
deciding when it shall be given is seldom
found.
Bleeding is rarely resorted to in sunstroke
at the present day, and in the judgment of
the writer still more rarely required. Some
cases need it and some recover in spite of it.
Under all conditions ifS o,,1I |